]]>Around 25% of the world’s websites (and over 90% of our web hosting clients’ websites), are powered by WordPress. It’s powerful, flexible, simple to use and let’s not forget free; Its popularity should hardly come as a surprise.

However, its high profile means sites powered by WordPress are regular targets for hackers and other security threats. This is why we recommend WordPress sites are regularly backed up and WordPress versions and Plugins are updated whenever new versions becomes available. WordPress sites that are not regularly maintained remain at greater risk of being attacked.

WordPress Announce SSL Certification Will Become a Requirement in 2017

Late last year, WordPress announced that in order to increase security, WordPress sites would soon be required to have an SSL security certificate installed as standard. Those sites that do not have a valid certificate, will find that some key features no longer work correctly. (They will of course, also remain at risk of security breach).

WordPress have not yet stipulated a deadline for sites to implement certificates. However, they will soon only recommend hosting partners that offer security certificates as standard.

What Are SSL Security Certificates?

A certificate acts like a digital “passport” which confirms a website’s entity and credentials. When confidential information is exchanged across the web, these credentials are used to establish a secure connection between the sender and the recipient

Once a secure connection is established, encrypted data can be safely exchanged between the two parties

Sites with a security certificate installed can be identified by the HTTPS: at the beginning of their URL. Browsers also often display a green padlock symbol, to confirm a site is secure

“Insecure” sites appear without the padlock or the “S”, as HTTP:

Security certificates need to be renewed regularly, much like domain name registrations

SSL Certificated Websites Favoured in Google Search Results

SSL certification also forms part of an effective SEO (Search Engine Optimisation) strategy. Google have considered the installation of security certificates as best practice Since 2014 and weighted secure sites more favourably when assessing a site’s relevance in search results.

Simple Things You Can Do to ‘Speed Up” Your WordPress Website

I Know What You Are Thinking…

Okay, suggestions like ‘Host Your Site on Servers Optimised for WordPress’ or ‘Add an SSL Security Certificate to Your Site’ may not appear to be all that ‘simple’ at first glance, but, here at Focus, we specialise in making the seemingly complicated, simple.

]]>Make Your Own 3D Star Ornament & Win a Prize!https://www.focus-technology.co.uk/make-3d-star-ornament-win-prize/
Tue, 13 Dec 2016 10:00:09 +0000http://www.focus-technology.co.uk/?p=3027As the Christmas and New Year break approaches, we thought we’d help you wind-down and have a little fun! Print off and make our 3D star ornament, post a picture of it on social media and you could win a specially selected mini hamper. All you have to do to be in with a chance…

Print off and make our 3D star ornament, post a picture of it on social media and you could win a specially selected mini hamper.

Post a Picture on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram Using the Tag #betechnologyhappy
(You can also bring it to our attention by including @FocusTechLtd)

All you will need to make your ornament is; a printer, A4 card or paper to print on, scissors, paper adhesive and some ribbon or thread.The Focus team will choose our favourite and announce the winner in the new year.

]]>Social Media Services @Focushttps://www.focus-technology.co.uk/social-media-services-focus/
Tue, 15 Nov 2016 14:05:18 +0000http://www.focus-technology.co.uk/?p=2989Did you know that we can get you up and running on your chosen social media platform for just £150, plus continue to monitor and support you on a weekly, monthly or even quarterly basis. Talk to our Focus Creative team to find out more.

]]>Server Hostinghttps://www.focus-technology.co.uk/server-hosting/
Tue, 15 Nov 2016 13:49:41 +0000http://www.focus-technology.co.uk/?p=2983Why not let Focus Technology Europe Ltd take care of your website hosting – we can host your website for less than £15 a month. Hosted on our own servers – maintained and look after by us. No outsourcing. Talk to our Tech Team for more information, or just to have a chat.

]]>Why not let Focus Technology Europe Ltd take care of your website hosting – we can host your website for less than £15 a month. Hosted on our own servers – maintained and look after by us. No outsourcing.

Focus Technology Europe Ltd is proud to be the only official Avaya partner in Cornwall. Why not talk to us about Avaya’s Unified Communications and Collaboration – conferencing, infrastructure solutions, real-time engagement and much more. Avaya solutions helps your workforce become better connected, increasing productivity – and as you grow, Avaya has the scalability and flexibility to grow with you, and support you along the way.

]]>Team Focus Raises Money For St Petroc’s!https://www.focus-technology.co.uk/team-focus-raises-money-for-st-petrocs/
Tue, 15 Nov 2016 10:58:50 +0000http://www.focus-technology.co.uk/?p=2967Everyone at Focus Technology would like to say a huge thank you to everyone who donated to our Just Giving page – many of you will know that last Thursday we took part in the Eden Project’s Big Charity Sleep Out, we made our own bread, was entertained by the Kernow King – before settling down…

]]>Everyone at Focus Technology would like to say a huge thank you to everyone who donated to our Just Giving page – many of you will know that last Thursday we took part in the Eden Project’s Big Charity Sleep Out, we made our own bread, was entertained by the Kernow King – before settling down on a piece of cardboard and ultimately succumbing to the cold, and it was cold….and damp! It was not very nice, but that is what homeless individuals throughout Cornwall face day in, day out – many of them are homeless by no fault of their own. The St Petroc’s Society provide vital services to homeless people throughout Cornwall, and we are pleased to say that we have raised over £350 so far, and are expected to receive more donations yet! Our Just Giving page is still up and active – if you would like to help Focus and St Petroc’s, you can do so by visiting Focus Charity Sleep Out

]]>Cornwall’s Future Economy – Young People’s Consultationhttps://www.focus-technology.co.uk/cornwalls-future-economy-young-peoples-consultation/
Tue, 15 Nov 2016 10:25:59 +0000http://www.focus-technology.co.uk/?p=2959Focus’s MD Andrew Davenport recently took part in the Cornwall’s Future Economy – Young People’s Consultation. The event which was organised by the Cornwall & Isles of Scilly Local Enterprise Partnership took place at the iconic Eden Project, and saw 40 students – all from various schools within Cornwall, come together to share what they thought a successful…

]]>Focus’s MD Andrew Davenport recently took part in the Cornwall’s Future Economy – Young People’s Consultation. The event which was organised by the Cornwall & Isles of Scilly Local Enterprise Partnership took place at the iconic Eden Project, and saw 40 students – all from various schools within Cornwall, come together to share what they thought a successful Cornwall might look like in the future, and what they believe a better Cornwall could look like – i.e. expansion on career sectors, better wages and diversity of jobs available in Cornwall.

7 different businesses (including Focus Technology Europe Ltd) took to the mic to speak to the students about what was great about being a local business – and also what challenges they face.

Andrew Davenport had this to say following the event – “it was really refreshing to see so many young people care so passionately about the Cornish economy and their future careers, their presentations were fantastic – we have many, many talented young people here in Cornwall who can, and will make a difference”.

]]>Focus is taking part in the Eden Project’s Big Sleep Out 2016https://www.focus-technology.co.uk/focus-is-taking-part-in-the-eden-projects-big-sleep-out-2016/
https://www.focus-technology.co.uk/focus-is-taking-part-in-the-eden-projects-big-sleep-out-2016/#respondWed, 21 Sep 2016 13:18:19 +0000http://www.focus-technology.co.uk/?p=2586Focus MD Andrew Davenport – plus several other members of the team will be taking part in the Eden Project‘s Big Sleep Out 2016 to help raise money for the St Petroc’s Society, a chairty which helps provide a range of services to the homeless individuals living in Cornwall. Last year Andy took part alongside Pirate FM‘s…

]]>Focus MD Andrew Davenport – plus several other members of the team will be taking part in theEden Project‘s Big Sleep Out 2016 to help raise money for the St Petroc’s Society, a chairty which helps provide a range of services to the homeless individuals living in Cornwall. Last year Andy took part alongsidePirate FM‘s Tina, and many others supporting this worthy cause.
We managed to raise over £300 last year, and would love to try and do the same again – perhaps raising even more this year.

Anyone wishing to make a donation, or perhaps would like to take part – can do so by visiting our Facebook events page https://www.facebook.com/events/1092933020791146/

]]>https://www.focus-technology.co.uk/focus-is-taking-part-in-the-eden-projects-big-sleep-out-2016/feed/0A contact lens that records everything you see?https://www.focus-technology.co.uk/a-contact-lens-that-records-everything-you-see/
https://www.focus-technology.co.uk/a-contact-lens-that-records-everything-you-see/#respondTue, 10 May 2016 17:36:10 +0000http://www.focus-technology.co.uk/?p=1682Other smart contact lenses are focused on improving vision or providing an augmented reality HUD, but Sony wants to look outwards rather than in. A new patent, awarded to the company in April, describes a contact lens that can be controlled by the user’s deliberate blinks, recording video on request. Sensors embedded in the lens…

]]>Other smart contact lenses are focused on improving vision or providing an augmented reality HUD, but Sony wants to look outwards rather than in. A new patent, awarded to the company in April, describes a contact lens that can be controlled by the user’s deliberate blinks, recording video on request.

Sensors embedded in the lens are able to detect the difference between voluntary and involuntary blinks. The image capture and storage technology would all be embedded in the lens around the iris, and piezoelectric sensors would convert the movements of the eye into energy to power the lens.

Of course, at this point, this technology isn’t small enough to be comfortably embedded in a contact lens, so it’s only theoretical. However, with Google seemingly pursuing a contact lens camera after Glass failed so spectacularly, it’s not surprising that other tech giants are getting on board.